A weird video shows Russia’s latest bid to parade its military power before the world - with 500 marching children.

The kid combatants, aged from four to 10, marched through the city of Rostov-on-Don, a short distance from the Ukrainian border, where Russian troops are battling the Ukrainian military.

The ‘Child Troop Parade’ was marshalled by a serving lieutenant colonel and saw children from schools and kindergartens line up in companies and platoons, according to RT.com .

Children line up during the so-called parade of children's troops in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, May 14, 2015. About 500 children aged from 4 to 10, members of youth military patriotic clubs, honor guards and paratroopers took part in the event, which was organized under the guidance of Commander of Southern Military District Colonel-General Alexander Galkin and was held to honor World War Two veterans and mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, according to local media (Image: Reuters)

The baby battalion was even divided into Army, Navy and even special forces.

“Today the children are at the wheels of military bicycles and scooters, and tomorrow we hope to see them at the wheels of tanks and artillery pieces,” one of the event’s organisers told the Newsru.com website.

Some of the children held portraits of their relatives who died fighting in the Second World War.

Cute: A boy dressed in a historical military uniform (Image: Reuters)

Convoy: Kids' 'military vehicles' (Image: Photoshot)

But many Russians were outraged at the scenes, which they say glorified war.

One wondered whether it is good for Russians "to get used to seeing our kids at war”.

Another, Dmitri Kozlowsky , said: "Looks like those absurd parades held by Hizbullah, ISIS, HAMAS, PLO, and North Korea."

Demonstration: A Russian paratrooper performs as children gather in the background (Image: Reuters)

Others defended it, saying it encouraged patriotism in children.

Ivan Praval commented: "There's a line between being proud of ones heritage and being hateful of others.

"I love stories like this because I'm proud of my heritage and the kids are cute.

Party: Women sing and dance for the children (Image: Reuters)

"Why would anyone call this fascist? The 4-10 year-olds want to have a parade to celebrate their nations immortal victory over Germany."